Goal! Belize to face off with Honduras

The Belize National Selection “A” Team is preparing to take on Honduras after a spectacular win against Nicaragua on Tuesday. While the victorious two to one game led to a spot in the finals, the Honduras game will propel the team to heights not experienced before in the Copa Centro Americana Games. That game plays this Friday at five-thirty in the evening and we will carry it live on this station. Tonight, Duane Moody speaks to team members in Costa Rica. Here is that report.

Duane Moody, Reporting

The semi finals of the Copa Centro Americana Games are less than twenty-four hours away and expectations are running high. The remaining countries—all who advance to the July’s Gold Cup Games—are Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama and Belize. It is a Cinderella story for the Belize National “A” selection team as it is history in the making that Belize has advanced so far in this competition. Their success is attributed to the rigorous training prior to the games. So what’s the prediction for the game on Friday evening at five-thirty?

Ruperto Vicente

Ruperto Vicente, President, F.F.B.

“It’s going to be played tomorrow Friday in Costa Rica and the game is set for five-thirty p.m. and certainly the players are in good spirit. They are ready for the game against Honduras. As I said to you before; that our team because of the success that they are experiencing, the team is of the opinion that they can defeat any team that comes against them at this point. So that’s how motivated our players are. So we are looking forward to good results against Honduras tomorrow.”

News Five spoke to team members in Costa Rica where they are training at the Estadio Nacional. On Tuesday in the game against Nicaragua, Trevor Lennon of Team Belize scored the first and one of the two goals that sealed the deal for the country’s spot in the Gold Cup.

Duane Moody

“Scoring that first goal for Belize; that assisted in putting down that win; tell us about what was going through your head knowing that you were the one that placed Belize on the scoreboard.”

Trevor Lennon

Via Phone: Trevor Lennon, Forward

“Well first it was kinda hard for us because most of those teams are professionals more than the Belize team. Most of the time we are just so tired of losing; as much of the time I come with the national team, we weren’t prepared like this time. Totally different this time and we had a young team that wanted to play and we went out hard and when I got that shot, I didn’t waste no time to think. I just saw the shot open and I just took a good shot and it was in.”

According to football aficionados—local and foreign—Belize’s defense is insurmountable. One of those key defense players is Goalkeeper, Woodrow West. This is West’s first time competing in a game internationally.

Woodrow West

Via Phone: Woodrow West, Goalkeeper

“There is no special tactics. My tactic is that I was preparing a while before national team started. I knew once I got myself in condition I know that I am capable to help my national team and I get the chance to do so and I am very proud that I have worked hard. The game is going to be difficult for us as we making the previous champion of last nation’s cup. They are a very good team and we give them their respect. But now we gaining respect as well and we need to focus and play as a team and play with our hearts. We are already qualified, but yes we want to go far as being the champion as we could for this nation cup.”

The delegation returns on Monday and President of the Federation, Ruperto Vicente, says that they will be greeted with fanfare.

Ruperto Vicente

“We are in preparation for a motorcade for our team. We are waiting fort he itinerary from UNCAF to tell us as to what time our team will be leaving Costa Rica and time it arrives in Belize. Once that has been cleared we will send out a press release telling everyone of when our team will arrive in Belize. But there is going to be a motorcade and we are also planning a bashment for them.”

If Belize beats Honduras, they will challenge the winner of the match between Panama and Costa Rica; that game is slated for Sunday. Duane Moody for News Five.

Viewers please note: This Internet newscast is a verbatim transcript of our evening television newscast. Where speakers use Kriol, we attempt to faithfully reproduce the quotes using a standard spelling system.

Big up the Belizean Football National Team on there success in the Central American Gold Cup Games.I’ m proud of my fellow country brethren and our Costa Rican coach. Big up Charlie Slusher, you look good on the side coaching mi bredda. Big up Yellow Man ma personal brethren from backa LAKE. Also Deon McCauly original Lake Man.
I would like to see the team tighten up in the midfield and the defense. we need to start knock the ball long on the wings and start develop some attacking plays.
Told you Mr Big Man a lot of good and talented people come from ghetto. We just need a fair chance and financial support.

See…this is what soccer is all about! Motivation of a team, a people, and a country. Personally I’ve shared tears of pure joy for our accomplishments on a world stage and think that finally we are recognizing our talents and we are supportive of them not only to succeed on one level but for our boys to rise up to levels never before seen from our country. I’d like to personally commend Mr. Ruperto Vicente for his overwhelming efforts and commitment to the soccer world in Belize . Not only has he overhauled the system but he’s also made history for our entire country…for that he should be awarded the keys to our country’s future prosperity in football…

Proud of our national team, “Big things a go on”, people don’t be surprise if we don’t start or play our better players, I’m sure the coach doesn’t want to run the risk of injuries; since we are already in the Gold Cup tournament. These games might be used to further prepare the younger or inexperience world players.

I am soooo very proud of the Belize National Football Team!!! You have all made us so proud!! Regardless of the outcome of tonight’s game, you are all winners!! Thanks for giving us a lot of joy and for making history!!!! These games are experiences that will help you for other cups!